Arrow airs Wednesdays on the CW at 8/7 Central.
Sometimes a show just gets it right. The pacing moves but there's still time for the big moments to breathe. The characters, even ones you don't particularly like, suddenly resonate and you feel for them. The plot gets your heart racing and gives you something to cheer about, but then turns around and hits you right in the gut out of nowhere. It's rare times like these when I can believe in TV magic. For me, Arrow's season 1 finale, Sacrifice, counts as one of those times. From the team, including Quentin, working together to stop Merlyn to the tearjerker of Tommy's death, that episode was 2 steps from perfection and one of the best TV episodes I have ever seen. While nothing may ever top the finale on Arrow, the good news is that, at least for me, League of Assassins (2.05) comes closer than all others and the fight scenes might even surpass it. Two things stick out as particularly good: the stunts coordinated by James Bamford and the emotional resonance. It is a terrific 42 minute ride that had me cheering (out loud), curious about the breadcrumbs, excited (and in one case a little disappointed) about the twists, and more in tune with the characters than I have been since that finale. There are a couple slow points but filling in the story blanks are worth it and overall the pacing moves well.
For me the episode starts off rocky, both figuratively and literally, and combines 2 things guaranteed to make me roll my eyes. In the next scene, I started confused (and I won't be the only one) because what I thought was going to happen did not. Plus, it's very risky. However, it leads to a great character moment and from then on the episode had me. Through subplots I love and exquisite fight scenes the story moves well from action to drama to intrigue, filling in gaps along the way while leaving plenty of mysteries. A new DC character, Dr. Ivo, is introduced, and I was interested enough to actually look him up, a first. New Big Bad perhaps? But as I said before, the best parts were the characters and the stunts. Each interaction was superb and the angst (boy is there angst) felt completely earned. Meanwhile the stunt coordination under James Bamford was unreal. If he is not nominated for an Emmy this season, it will be a complete farce. No one does fight scenes better. No one. All in all, this episode has something for everyone and combined it's a real treat. Season 2 is definitely getting better and better.
Grade: A-
Theme: The power of secrets
Quotes:
"Have you found somebody for me to hit yet?"
"How do you live like this?"
"I think you're one of the bravest people I've ever known."
"I will never leave you." "Until you do."
"I wish there was a sign that it gets better."
"I'm not afraid of cockroaches."
"It sounds a lot like blackmail."
"So step aside or get put down."
"So you were right." "Yeah, I usually am...."
"Thanks for understanding." "I don't understand."
"That sounded a little less crazy in my head." "I doubt it."
"We have our moments."
"What are you hiding now?"
"You really going to tell me you couldn't use a friend."
Best Betrayal Face - Oliver
Best "Hell Yeah" moment - spare
Best "If Looks Could Kill" Face - Thea
Best Introduction - tie - Sara and the Arrow Cave / Dr. Ivo
Best Scenes - Middle of the street, clock tower
Best Use of Everyday Objects - Sara
Biggest Anvil - the bird
Biggest Mystery - Beloved and Moira
MIA - Amell's Abs
Most Confused - Oliver (for the first 15 minutes)
Most Gratuitous Skin - Sara
Most Ludicrous Moment - Mr. Assassin
Most Unusual Element - the flashbacks
MVP - It's corny, but I'm going with the idea of love and forgiveness
Worst scene - Opening flash back
Character I Feel Most Sorry For - all of them
Don't forget to watch Arrow this Wednesday on the CW at 8/7 C.
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After the first viewing of this episode I felt like I was in a whirlwind and I had to catch my breath. While not as immensely rewatchable as the finale (and with a much smaller budget), this episode has enough twists turns and good old-fashioned drama to make it my second favorite episode.
ReplyDeleteDoes Laurel's screentime make more sense than her time in any of the previous episodes or is it more of the same?
ReplyDeleteWhat's your first favorite episode? This episode you be a great wait can't wait for The Tomorrow People and Arrow tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteHey Dahne, that's two episodes in a row where there is no Amell Ab flash. Our little show just might be growing up, LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnd to think, there's 48 hours left until I can watch this. I'm so excited. And, even before watching I'm gonna agree with you Dahne. NOTHING can surpass Sacrifice in terms of brilliance. Nothing.
ReplyDeleteHey, how do you guys get to see an episode like this ahead of time? Do they blindfold you and drive you to a secret location for the airing of the preview? Do they have you sign a document listing all the things you're not allowed to reveal on your internet blog? Or do they hold your sister hostage until after the episode has aired, so that you won't reveal anything? C'mon, spill it!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite episode is hands-down the season 1 finale. It was like watching a movie. In fact, it is one of my favorite TV episodes ever.
ReplyDeleteI like Laurel a little more than you, although the way she has been written is problematic at best for me. I think this episode will be divisive as far as Laurel goes. When we first see her, there will likely be a lot of hate towards her but I think that she does a good job of explaining her decision and quite frankly, I see her side in the matter. She's helping the best she can but it might not be enough for people who already dislike her. Then she turns into a plot device in the middle, but with a significant emotional monologue that may make people feel more for her.. However, the ending is one of my favorite Laurel scenes in the whole series. She's vulnerable and it could be exactly what's needed for the characters to really repair the mess they've made of her. It's going to be a slow process though.
ReplyDeleteI actually went back to check because I couldn't believe they were MIA again. As much fondess in the fandom as there is for Amell's abs, I am glad to see them retreat to guest star standing.
ReplyDeleteSacrifice was beyond anything I hoped for and still stands up today in the umpteenth rewatch. It is very likely there will never be another episode like it in Arrow. However, I hope everyone is as excited after this episode as I was. All the story elements don't gel as well as Sacrifice but there are so many moments to savor. It really has something for everything - well except maybe shippers.
ReplyDeleteThey take our DNA and clone us before letting us watch so that if we violate the sacred spoiler agreement, our clones can be put in our place. :-P
ReplyDeleteOccasionally SpoilerTV gets advanced screeners for special episodes, ones they want to generate buzz about. This season the CW has joined in. Reviewers of the show are offered a copy to write previews and reviews. These cannot be shared with anyone on penatly of death (or never ever getting another screener again and possibly sued).
Cool! And they leave it to your own judgement as to what you reveal in your previews? There's no list of forbidden topics?
ReplyDeleteEverything sounds very.... Vague, lol and possibly confusing? Just the title of the episode made me excited for it, so I'm glad to hear it's a great one!
ReplyDeleteWe're allowed to give our honest opinion about whether an episode is good, bad, or so so, but they ask that no main spoilers be revealed. I actually had to ask a comic book fan if something I planned to put in would be a big spoiler or not because I am less familiar with the DC universe. I also go back before posting and look at all the videos and pictures released for the episode because they tend to give you a good idea of what they are trying to hide as well.
ReplyDeletePurposely vague since we are not allowed to give out spoilers from screeners. My goal is intriguing to start more speculation and get people to tune in. Sorry the execution stalled at confusing. :-)
ReplyDeleteSacrifice is possibly the best episode of TV I have ever seen. Granted, I'm only 15 and stick to my bubble of shows, never daring to venture outside. I really can't wait for this episode. I like the shipper stuff but it doesn't bother me if there isn't any.
ReplyDeleteLets hope you're right. I actually really liked Laurel's relationship with Tommy in season one before they forced the Oliver/Laurel front and center near the end of the season. The Tommy/Laurel scenes are the only times I've actually liked her.
ReplyDeleteI honestly fear that I will never be able to like Laurel now because I am more invested in the other female characters and if Laurel does end up becoming Black Canary it will be at the expense of Sarah who is kick-ass so far. And if she does end up with Oliver then she'd get more screentime and... well, its no secret that I find that relationship forced and lacking chemistry.
Since Katie is at her acting best when in bitch-mode, what I'd do with Laurel is give her a real reason to hate vigilantes. Bring back Alex KIngston, have a scene with her getting mugged or something, and the vigilante that comes to save her (whether it be Ollie, Roy, or someone else) accidently end up killing her with a stray arrow or something. That would justify everything for me, if KC could sell it. Hunting down vigilantes, spriralling into drugs, alcohol, and depression, etc.
I'm mildly interested in what the final Laurel scene is in this episode. Whether I like it or not, I hope it carries over to next episode because the character has been lacking in consistency IMO.
Oh I understand that you have to be vague to avoid giving out spoilers, I'm just glad you really enjoyed the episode. By 'confusing' I mostly meant what you said about the beginning of the episode and how confusing it would be, LOL.
ReplyDeleteKC could be in bitch-mode as a vigilante too. She doesn't have to be against vigilantes for that, so I think both options are open.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with that is the fact that I don't think neither KC or the writers could believable make an entertaining story arc where Laurel becomes the Canary. Also, at this rate she wouldn't even be Black Canary until season 5, as she doesn't have the skills or instincts to be a vigilante. I have no interest in suffering through questionable build-up just to have "bitchy Laurel as the Canary" as pay off. It just sounds like a massive waste of time.
ReplyDeleteThe most likely case I think will be exactly that.
ReplyDeleteAt first she directed all the self-loathing at Arrow, then at herself. Directing it at other criminals is next logical step :)
Okay....
ReplyDeleteFact One: From inter-season comics we know that Sarah and Laurel are physically even and used to spar with each other to solve their conflicts.
.
Fact Two: As we see from flashbacks - Oliver did not exactly spend his time sitting in ninja school - he learned how to shoot an arrow and how to beat up people and everything else came on the go. Laurel already has the basics(in exact same way the comic book Canary did) If Oliver works perfectly in the flashbacks, so will Laurel's Canary in present time.
Fact Three: NO one ever said that Laurel's canary will be identical to the Fake-Canary. For all we know Laurel might develop the actual superpowers the comic book Canary has, since no-powers rule is out now.
"Then she turns into a plot device in the middle"
ReplyDeletePlease don't be another kidnapping.Please don't be another kidnapping.Please don't be another kidnapping....
Addressing Fact One: I haven't caught up on the comics recently. But I expect to get the important details on the show. It shouldn't be that hard to drop a line of dialogue.
ReplyDeleteAddressing Fact Two: The only way I see Laurel being up to snuff physically soon would be if she was trained by Slade (or Wildcat). It would be awesome if, on the outs with Oliver, Slade decides to teach her knowing what she means to Oliver and that she doesn't know he's Arrow. I would actually like to that.
Addressing Fact Three: And this is the major problem. They gave Laurel the name of Dinah Laurel Lance/Black Canary but NONE of the personality. I don't know why they did this. But then they introduce Sarah who embodies the spirit of Dinah Laurel Lance AND Black Canary from the comics and other mediums. It makes no sense to me. If they would have given Laurel Sarah's personality to begin with it would have made much more sense. As for the canary cry, the powers mean nothing if the character doesn't come up to scratch. Take Man of Steel for example; Superman had a bunch of awesome powers, but his personality didn't match any canon version of the character I've ever seen. Basically, personality and character are as important as superpowers, and they already gave Sarah the personality they should have given Laurel since the beginning.
Fact Four: If they show Laurel training all season long and trying to fight crime in the finale I MAY be able to accept it. But only if its well-written, acted, and choreographed.
Agreed. If more people go after her she might overtake Lana Lang's record of most times kidnapped in a series.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right but I'd prefer if she'd stop with the self loathing altogether.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping for some Sarah/Quentin interaction. The poor guy was destroyed after her death. Their reunion should be emotional, especially with how talented Paul Blackthorne is.
ReplyDelete"Directing it at OTHER criminals"
ReplyDeleteA freudian slip?
I find it very hard to believe that Laurel could come anywhere close to Sara in combat. Maybe when they wre kids, but Sara has been trained by the League of Assassins. I'm not saying that Laurel could not learn to be at Sara's level, but it would take a lengthy time.
ReplyDeleteI must have missed something. Why is the no-powers rule suddenly out? I will be more unhappy if she suddenly sprouts superpowers than if they accelerate her weapons learning curve.
I heartily agree that if they want it to be considered canon, it should be in the actual show.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Too much guilt and self-loathing makes a character tiresome. Laurel already has enough problems to overcome as a character for that.
ReplyDeleteBWAH!!! I share your dislike of Laurel most frequent plot device mode.
ReplyDeleteI'm 41 and Sacrifice is one of the best TV episodes I have seen as well. It's not about age. That was awesome TV.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah totally agree. Until Quentin thought he was going to die, Laurel thought she was (and thought her dad was going to) and Tommy did I didn't realise how connected I felt to them. Such a fantastic show to do that. Never watched either show so can't comment.
ReplyDeleteHe has been amazingly good this season, and this is his best one yet? Wow. I wish it was Wednesday now.
ReplyDeleteI never really appreciated Paul Blackthorne until Arrow. Sure, he was great in the Dresden Files but that show didn't last long enough for him to explore all the avenues of the character.
I didn't know him until he played the villain on my favorite episode of Burn Notice, and I've been a fan since then. However, I have only seen him in guest star roles so this has been a treat. He has one line in this episode that absolutely kills me. I already know it will be my nomination for Quote of the Week this time. No way any other quote has so much emotion packed into it.
ReplyDeleteAnd that is why I watch more TV on the CW than AMC and FX put together. I agree that the slow burn doesn't fit the CW but I would argue it doesn't fit the pace of this show either. Arrow moves faster than any other show I watch on the CW. In fact, the only show I know that moves faster is Teen Wolf. If Laurel's addiction continues beyond a few episodes, it will be vying for longest character subplot. I see it being resolved much in the same way Thea's was - that is they suddenly drop it and never mention it again.
ReplyDeleteI read that The Flash will not get his powers until spin-off. He should be completely human in Arrow from what I understood.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a tease. lol
ReplyDeleteI'm honestly surprised at how well Quentin's working this season. Last season he was one-dimensional that I didn't really care for him much until the final episodes.
This season, I'm enjoying him more than ever.
He'll be in three episodes this season. I expect him to get his powers in his final one. I'm pretty sure the writers said they were going to show how Oliver, Diggle, and Felicity react to the appearance of superpowers.
ReplyDeleteThat's my job. :-P
ReplyDeleteLast year any scene with Quentin and Laurel in it was pretty much guaranteed to be my least favorite. They both acted like such children around each other. Now their scenes together are much more tolerable and some of them have been high points for the episode. I like how they are starting to turnt hat relationship around. Mostly though, I really like Quentin as a part of Team Arrow.
UGH! That is very disappointing. One of the reasons why I like Arrow is because it is not too comic book-y. Metahumans ruin that.
ReplyDeleteI know you can't say yay or nay, but my theory for the episode is that present day Sara will die.
ReplyDeleteI had a problem with them NOT using metahumans in the early days. It just felt like yet another thing the ripped from Nolan's Batman. But I got used to it and now I'm scared having powers will ruin the tone of the show.
ReplyDeleteDemoting Quentin, having him a part of Team Arrow, talking about Sarah, and even Laurel's eye-roll worthy storyline so far, has really showcased Quentin's character and given him a lot to work with. Before I wouldn't have cared if he died, now I would.
ReplyDeleteYou should watch out for the people that get screeners then because somebody shared HUGE spoilers on fanforum in the Nathan/Thread (Haven) board and only took them down when she was asked to. I don't want to be a rat, but I thought it wasn't allowed and you just confirmed it.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like this person probably got the screener illegally. Most legitimate sites wouldn't risk ticking off the production companies/studios by leaking huge spoilers. The purpose of giving out screeners is to generate buzz to get people to watch. Releasing big spoilers like this person did defeats the point. My guess is that someone got busted big time for the leak.
ReplyDeleteI'm just saying because their username on fanforum is the same of somebody who posts articles here on spoilertv. They actually said Audrey was pretending to be Lexie, which was one of the MAJOR twists, among other things. I was wondering where they had gotten the screener from, then I saw her make a post here and figured that was how, especially because somebody from spoilertv was at the syfy press conference. The only reason I'm saying this is because I thought it was a)illegal and b)would get you guys in trouble if anyone ever saw it. I'm just glad she got the spoilers down by request and they didn't spread beyond fanforum.
ReplyDeleteLaurel's subplot is out of step with the pace of the rest of the show, but that's okay. I understand why. The show has a lot going on in the Team Arrow portion of the show already and they don't want a "too many cooks in the kitchen" situation. They also want a substantial build-up to her transformation to Black Canary so it all feels earned. But, if they're going to stick with this extended journey into the ranks of superheroes, they need to find a way to make it more palatable to the audience.
ReplyDeleteIt was never said that there wasn't going to be any powers it's just that we don't know what Oliver saw from his 5 years. We're going to see Barry turn into the Flash so I'd assume he would use them unless he doesn't find out about them until he goes back home and that's when the spinoff begins.
ReplyDeleteThey announced before the series even aired that there would be no superpowers because they wanted a grounded, realistic show comparable to the dark knight.
ReplyDeleteReally hope they don´t kill Sarah yet. Love her :)
ReplyDeleteThat's not what I read. I read he will get his power on Arrow in his spin-off backdoor pilot, episode 2.20.
ReplyDeleteThey are not going to pretend he's a metahuman. He's going to get his powers on accident, probably due to some failed science experiment, so he's going to be an ordinary person in his core.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe I hated his character for 22 episodes during season one. All it took was one scene with Felicity and now I love Quentin.
ReplyDeleteI can't see them killing her anytime soon. At least, I hope they don't.
ReplyDeleteAmell said in a panel at Fan Expo in Toronto that the no powers rule is gone.
ReplyDeleteThat sucks out loud then for me. Ugh!
ReplyDeleteWhile I cannot answer that I can say that this is not Sacrifice. The big emotional scene is not tied to any character death. Of course there will be a lot of debate as to what the big emotional scene is since there are plenty to choose from.
ReplyDeleteThanks. You are right. SpoilerTV could get inbig trouble if it released a major spoiler from a screener. Still this person could have gotten the screener from other sources as well. Many people on the STV staff have outside resources to get scoop.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a big waste to kill Sara off this early.
ReplyDeleteArgh! You're killing me with this teasing! You're good at not releasing any major spoilers though.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't a fan in the early part of the season since most of his scenes were screeching at Laurel. However about midpoint he became a character I wanted to see more of. I always thought they were wasting his character last year though. This year, they are more than making up for it,
ReplyDeleteI never hated his character but there were times when I would see the Lances get together and groan. For me he was redeemed midseason but he really nailed Sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I cannot wait until you guys watch it and give your opinion. I'm afraid I am hyping this episode too much now and therefore people will be disappointed. I really hope that is not the case because I thoroughly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI trust your judgement Dahne. And, the last 6 episodes have been so fantastic that I fail to see any flaws until my third watch of it. I'm just irritated that I'm still 17 hours away from watching it!
ReplyDeleteNo problem. Glad it was a misunderstanding. Would hate for spoilertv to get in trouble for someone irresponsible.
ReplyDelete